grizzly

IPA/ˈɡrɪz.li/
KK[ɡrˈɪzli]IPA/ˈɡrɪz.li/

grizzly — noun

  • grizzlysingular
  • grizzliesplural

1. a very large brown bear that lives in the mountain forests of western North Amer

1.nounB1
Definition

a very large brown bear that lives in the mountain forests of western North America, with grey-tipped fur and a noticeable hump on its shoulders

Example

A park ranger spotted a female grizzly and her two cubs crossing the river this morning.

collocation: grizzly + cubs; spotted a grizzly

Wei photographed a grizzly bear digging for roots on the mountainside during the hiking trip.

Common collocations
  • grizzly bear
  • grizzly cubs
  • grizzly habitat
  • grizzly population
  • grizzly attack
  • grizzly sighting
Synonyms
  • brown bear

    broader term that includes grizzlies and other subspecies

  • silvertip bear

    another informal name for the grizzly, highlighting its grey-tipped fur

Grammar Patterns

a/the grizzly

grizzly bears

grizzly + verb

Common Mistakes

A grizzly attacked the camp.
A grizzly bear attacked the camp.
In formal writing, 'grizzly bear' is preferred; using 'grizzly' alone as a noun is considered informal.

grizzly — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

The terms 'grizzly bear' and 'brown bear' are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, but they are not exact synonyms. 'Brown bear' is the broader species name (Ursus arctos) that covers all subspecies worldwide, including European brown bears and the bears of coastal Alaska. 'Grizzly bear' refers specifically to the inland subspecies found in the Rocky Mountains and interior western North America, which is generally smaller and has a more prominent shoulder hump. 'Kodiak bear' is a separate, much larger subspecies found only on the Kodiak Islands of Alaska. Here is a practical distinction: a wildlife guide in Yellowstone might say 'Look, a grizzly digging for roots,' while a biologist in Alaska would say 'That coastal brown bear is twice the size of any inland grizzly.'

grizzly bearbrown bearKodiak bear

Common collocations

Phrases

  • grizzly bear
  • grizzly cub

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'grizzly' comes from 'grizzle', meaning grey-haired, which itself comes from the Old French 'grisel' (grey) and the suffix '-y'. The bear was named 'grizzly bear' by early American explorers because of its distinctive grey-tipped or silvery-grizzled fur — not because it was considered grisly or frightening, though that common confusion is understandable.